Picking up your life and moving it to a new place means coordinating a lot of moving parts—before, during and after Moving Day. In addition to packing and moving all of your possessions, there are a number of other to-dos required in order to transition you to your new home. To help you check off all those little boxes, we’ve compiled a list of the essential links to make your Maui move easier.  

Whether you’re moving to the Mainland, to another island or to another destination entirely, this list will help you keep track of all of the details involved when you close one chapter of your life and open a new one. We’ll also throw in a few helpful hints we’ve discovered after helping thousands of families move to, from and within the Hawaiian islands. 

Have your own local tips or resources for moving in Maui? Make sure to leave us a comment at the end of this article! 

Manage Your Utilities 

A house without power can return your family to frontier times or, at worst, delay your move-in date. Plus, for some families, a house without cable or Internet can simply be a no-go. Use the links below to make sure your utilities are set up and ready to go from  Move-In Day forward. Plus, while you’re starting your new service, don’t forget to turn off your old service so you don’t get double-billed. 

File a Change of Address Online with the USPS 

Although you fill out a form at the post office, you can also change your address online with the US Postal Service for just $1. All you need is a credit or debit card, as well as an email address. The USPS recommends filing your change 7-10 days before your move to ensure uninterrupted service.  

Pro Tip: The USPS allows you to choose the date you want your mail forwarding to start, so you can file your change as soon as you know you’ll be moving. 

Understanding mail forwarding: Once you file your request, the USPS will forward mail to your new address for 12 months, including First-Class Mail, Priority Mail and First-Class Packages. Newspapers and magazines get slightly different treatment. The Postal Service will only forward those for 60 days. Make sure you update your address to ensure uninterrupted delivery of your favorite publications.  

You’ll find all the details—and answers to more moving questions—on the USPS website: 

If you’re the kind of person who sends and receives mail often, you might want to mail a change of address card to your family and friends. Canva has several templates that allow you to design your own. 

Do Your Civic Duty 

Maui County and the State of Hawaii rely on their address database to send you important notices. This becomes especially critical during election season, so before you move, make sure you: 

It’s also a good idea to update the address on your driver’s license. In addition to keeping your records current, having the correct address on your license makes it easier for someone to return it if you happen to lose your wallet. 

If you receive government checks, such as Social Security, make sure to change your address with the right agency. You might also consider updating your address with the IRS. However, if you’re near the April 15 deadline for filing, putting your new address on your return will trigger the IRS to automatically update its records. 

Update or Cancel Your Auto Insurance 

If you’re moving locally, you’ll likely be able to change your address online, and you might not see much of a change in your insurance policy. However, if you’re moving to another island or to the Mainland, you might need a new policy. If you’re selling your car on Maui, you’ll want to cancel your policy altogether.  

Whatever your circumstance, make sure you keep your records with your insurance company updated to ensure that you’re compliant with your policy’s rules:  

Change Your Address with Your Bank—or Close Your Account, if Necessary 

While it may seem like a small detail, your bank often uses your address on file to send formal paperwork to your home, such as statements and tax documents. If you’re enrolled in online banking services, you may be able to simply update your account online. Other banks prefer having a change of address request in writing. 

If you’re leaving Maui, you may need to close your account entirely. Check your destination to see what banks it features nearby. If you do need to close your account, you’ll probably need to visit the branch. 

Sell Any Items You Don’t Want 

If you’ve taken our advice about downsizing before you move, you’ll probably have a few possessions you want to sell. Many families on Maui go the traditional route and organize yard sales. You can also leverage online resources to sell your possessions, including: 

Pro Tip: If you go the yard sale route, consider posting a notice on local Maui Facebook groups to increase traffic to your sale. 

When it comes to stylish furniture or clothing, consider selling your items through a consignment shop. 

We’ve known a couple of families who have nearly paid for their entire move by going this route. 

Here’s how it works: Consignment stores examine the items you bring them and select ones they believe are likely to sell in their store. When get purchased, you get a cut of the sales price. Because any profits are contingent on actually selling your items, most shops are particular about which pieces they’ll display. Additionally, shop owners may discount the sale price for your item the longer it sits in the shop. However, you don’t have to do any advertising, and you might make more money through consignment than on Craigslist.  

Some places to try on Maui include: 

Donate Any Gently Used, Unwanted Items 

After you sell everything you can, you’ll probably have a few possessions you’re ready to let go of. Maui has several stores who would be happy to receive your donations: 

Finally, if you have non-perishable food items you don’t want to move, ask your moving company if they can donate them to Move for Hunger. Non-perishables collected on Moving Day will be delivered to local food banks to help local families in need. 

Back Up Your Computers 

When electronics make a big move, there’s always a little risk involved. Be prepared by backing up all of your family’s phones and computers to make sure your important data is protected. We recommend backing up to the cloud. That way, you’ll be able to access your data from anywhere in the world, no matter where your belongings are. A few of the services we like include: 

  • Backblaze – Many cloud backup services are moving away from unlimited storage, but Backblaze still offers this option for a reasonable price. You’ll pay just  $60/year per computer for low-hassle automatic backup. 
  • iDrive – Because it’s more customizable than Backblaze, power users love this option. However, iDrive can cost a little more, depending on how much storage space you purchase.  
  • iCloud – iCloud is a seamless option for Mac users. Don’t forget to double-check your settings to ensure you have a full back up before Moving Day. 

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to back up your phone! Many a phone has gotten dropped during the chaos of Moving Day. (If you need some help backing up your phone, Google can help!) 

Make a Clean Getaway—or a Fresh Start 

There’s nothing like a deep clean to help your new home feel like yours. Plus, when it comes to your old home, you might want to hire a crew to give it a good scrubbing before you turn it over to a new family. Consider giving one of these companies a call if you need to take this task off your list: 

Pro Tip: Don’t schedule your cleaners and your movers for the same time slot. They’ll only get in each other’s way, creating unnecessary stress on Moving Day. 

Keep Your Furry Children Safe on Moving Day 

Moving Day can be a whirlwind. That’s why we suggest boarding your pets the day of your move. You’ll know they’re safe—and so will your movers. As a result, all of you can focus on the task at hand: Getting you settled in your new home. Two places on Maui you might consider: 

  • Ohana Pet, featuring friendly, in-home boarding for your dog. 
  • Maui Mutt Hut, which features an indoor air conditioned play park for your pup to enjoy. 

Finally, if you have any questions about your actual move, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’ve got a branch right in Kahului. We’d be happy to help you make a quick and easy transition to your new home, whether you’re moving locally, making the switch to a different island or relocating to the Mainland. 

 

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